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Williamston, N.C. — Where N.C. Highway 17 meets the Roanoke River in Martin County, there's a little nook just north of Moratoc Park where fishermen like Booker T. Johnson and Harvey Thompson like to wet a line.

"There's more to it than just throwing the rod out there in the water," Thompson said.

More than 400 miles long, the Roanoke River runs from the edge of the Appalachian mountains to the Albermarle Sound.

Thompson found his nook along the river when he retired 12 years ago, while Johnson has fished there longer than he can remember. "I don't mind spending time fishing," he said.